Considering A Career As A Building Services Engineer?

Working as a Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Recruitment Consultant I’m very interested in educating people on a career in the building services industry.

I’ve been recruiting in the industry for nearly three years and have noticed a significant drop in the amount of Building Services graduates entering into the workforce. M&E Engineering firms are constantly calling looking for assistance in filling positions they can’t seem to fill themselves.

A career in Building Services can be very challenging and rewarding with several different types of positions available in the industry. It combines a flair for design and problem solving along with dynamic working environments in Ireland and abroad.

According to the CAO, points for a place in Building Services have been relatively low over the last few years which is surprising given the job opportunities.

What is Building Services?

Building Services Engineers are responsible for designing and installing energy systems in buildings. These systems include heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, water supply, fire protection, power, lighting and data communication systems.

They work alongside architects and other engineering disciplines to design, develop and manage new technologies that impact the economy, utility, durability, and comfort of buildings.

Working in Building Services

Building Services Engineers can either work on the consultancy (design) side or the contractor (installation / commissioning) side of the industry. Both require knowledge of Building Services but are different in terms of day-to-day activities.

Working for the Consultant – Design, Flair & Problem solving.

• Meeting with Clients.
• Tender / Concept design.
• Research new designs, technologies, and construction methods.
• Design calculations.
• Layout designs / drawings.
• Simulations.

Working for the Contractor – Dynamic, Hands on, Commercial.

• Installation of M&E services.
• Commissioning of M&E services
• Interpret technical drawings and schematics.
• Environmental, Health and Safety on site.
• Provide feedback to design engineers on Client problems.
• Quality assurance.

Careers & Opportunities

Working as a Building Services Engineer there are several areas one can specialise in ranging from Residential / Commercial projects such as apartment complexes, offices and retail units to large Industrial / Pharmaceutical projects such as food processing plants, power stations and manufacturing facilities. As well as these projects happening in Ireland, there are plenty of opportunities in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and also Africa.

Projects in the Commercial sector use conventional HVAC systems however above is a photo of the mechanical services in a Pharmaceutical plant. Plants like this have a higher demand for air, water, steam and other hazardous materials hence the larger and more specialised equipment.

Salary Information

Software

Building Services has come along way over the years in terms of the software used by engineers. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the most talked about / required package in the industry with it being used by both consultancies and contractors.

It describes the process of designing a building collaboratively using a system of computer models rather than separate sets of drawings, this helps reduce the risk of errors through integrated design, engineering and fabrication workflows.

Below is an image of how a coordination issue between the structural engineers and HVAC engineers was resolved long before the construction phase began, saving precious time, manpower and money. Before BIM, this issue may only have been spotted when the mechanical services were being installed and this issue would have been sent back to the consultants to reroute the services.

Most companies nowadays will have BIM as a requirement on their job specifications however, if you have never used it before there are several types of courses available to do.

Other software used in Building Services includes:

• Revit MEP
• IES
• Navisworks
• AutoCAD
• Dialux
• Hevacomp

Having worked on very exciting roles with extremely innovative and dynamic companies, I find it hard to believe that there is not more of an interest in Building Services as a career. If you see yourself as someone with a flair for design, an interest in energy systems and good at problem solving then why not give me a call to discuss the first / next step in your career.